Renderings Released for Ryerson Church Street Development

Ryerson University is continuing to expand its downtown presence with a new project referred to as the Church Street Development, planned for a parking lot on Church Street just north of Dundas Street. The site at 270-288 Church Street will provide administration space and classrooms for Ryerson University’s health science programs in a 15,490 square metre, 7-storey base building, rising to 8-storeys at its north end. A tower on top of the base building will house 100 units of student residences, bringing the total height of the building to 112 metres or 29 storeys, including a 2-storey mechanical penthouse.

East elevation of the Church Street Development. Image courtesy of Ryerson University.

Designed by Perkins + Will Canada, the building will include classrooms and a “fabrication zone” with 3D printers for students in health science programs such as midwifery, nutrition, nursing, and occupational and public health. The retail space fronting onto Church Street will also include a food services facility for the students. Amenity space will be included on the eighth floor and lounges on every second floor in the tower portion of the building. An outdoor amenity area of 980 square metres, to be used by both staff and students, is proposed on the roof of the base building.

Four levels of underground parking and 167 spaces are proposed, with access from Church Street at the south end of the site and from Bond Street through the laneway connecting the existing parking lot. In addition to vehicular parking, 237 bicycle spaces will be provided including 52 at street level. Access for pedestrians will be provided through two Church Street entrances, each on either side of the building.

View of the existing parking lot. Image by Craig White.

The next step in the planning process is to hold a community consultation meeting, which is expected to take place before the end of the year. City Planning staff will determine whether the project conforms to all relevant legislation, including the Official Plan, Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Staff will also determine whether the height of the building will infringe on the flight path of helicopters using the helipads at the Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael’s Hospital.

Elevation drawings depict the height and massing of the building. Image courtesy of Ryerson University.

The $104.4 million project includes $56.4 million in funding from the provincial government with the remaining money being covered by Ryerson. The project is expected to begin construction in the latter half of 2015 with an estimated completion date of Fall 2018.

For more images and information about Ryerson’s Church Street Development, visit the dataBase file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.